Bampton Castle Motte

It is impossible to be anywhere in Bampton and not be conscious of the Motte
standing at the eastern approach to the town.

This defensive area above the town would have originally been built by
the Saxons, with some sort of wooden enclosure. When the Normans arrived,
they favoured
the classic construction of a keep on top of a mound, surrounded by
a wooden enclosing wall or 'bailey' built in about 1067 AD - it was they who built the Motte the remains of which we see today. The only
action
it saw was a siege by King Stephen in 1136 when one man was hanged and
the fortifications burnt down.

Later, a stone mansion was built on the Motte, and in 1336 the
Lord of the Manor, Richard Cogan, obtained a licence from the king to castellate
it and surround it with a stone and mortar wall. For more information, see Gatehouse Gazetteer - Bampton - The Motte

In 1607, an earthquake was felt in "divers parts of this realm" -
the remains of Bampton Castle are reputed to have collapsed during an earthquake.
(You might think earthquakes don't happen much in England, and might be surprised
at the Map of Earthquakes!)

In 1801, a lot of its stonework, its well, and two surrounding
ditches were clearly visible . The drawing on the right is based on one
made at that time by Rev. Sweete. Note also the big spaces around the church.

Nothing now remains above ground of the castle stones
- they have been 'recycled' into buildings in the area.

However, a back exit from the original bailey gave access
to the Barton farm - there is still a flight of stone steps leading down
into the fields towards Kersdown Barton which may have had their origins
in that exit.

A very limited excavation was carried out in 1968 in a
small area in the middle of the football pitch.

The drawing on the left shows the results of a RCHM survey in 1992 showing
the earthworks surrounding the motte.

(Source: WR Wilson-North PDAS 49,1991,Fig.2)

A more recent survey (using magnetometers) done in 2002 over the north
end of the site has revealed a number of features which are likely to
represent ditches, banks, and ridge-and-furrow ploughing.

The drawing on the right was done by Barbara Keene. It shows an impression of what Bampton's Motte and Bailey might have looked like soon after the Norman invasion.

The modern football pitch has rather levelled things out!

A series of very steep steps allows visitors to climb to the
top of the motte - this affords splendid views across the whole town and across
the water meadows along the valley. Yes the football pavilion is a truly hideous building!

At the start of 2016, the Motte has been transformed by contractors who have removed a lot of low scrub, saplings, and brambles which had covered the motte and its surrounds, making it difficult;t to see or to explore. Some photos below.

The Bampton Motte seen from a distance

The cleared Motte seen from the bailey (football field!)

Contractor Tommy gets down to business

The clearance seen from the south-west side

The re-opened view looking down into the town

Neat hedge-laying to the side of the Motte

New steps being built at the Motte
Tom Ellicott with Robert and Andy from English Heritage